OKLAHOMA CITY — As James Anderson prepared to shoot what he said were the biggest free throws of his career, teammate Byron Eaton came up to him to try easing the tension.
“He told me I was ‘Big Game’ James and that I don’t miss free throws,” Anderson said. “It was kind of funny.”
Anderson and the Cowboys were able to laugh after he made both free throws with 2.3 seconds left to lift Oklahoma State to a 71-70 upset of No. 6 Oklahoma on Thursday night in a Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal.
Eaton had 16 points and seven assists for Oklahoma State (22-10), which snapped a five- game skid against Oklahoma (27-5) and all but clinched an NCAA Tournament berth. The Cowboys will play Missouri in the semifinals.
Blake Griffin had 17 points and 19 rebounds for Oklahoma but was whistled for fouling Anderson as they tussled for a rebound after a missed shot by Eaton in the final seconds.
After Anderson’s free throws, Griffin caught a long pass from his brother, Taylor Griffin, but missed a 3-point attempt, and Tony Crocker missed a follow shot. The clock didn’t start until well after Blake Griffin’s shot, and officials used television replays to determine time had expired.
Eaton broke a 68-68 tie by making 1-of-2 free throws with 29.8 seconds left. Crocker caught a lob from Willie Warren and scored with 14.2 seconds left to give the Sooners a 70-69 lead and set up the decisive play.
